Three sustainability programs at Elon University are featured in the National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology 2009 campus sustainability case studies, the only database of its kind featuring sustainability practices at 59 schools from 30 states across the country.
The university’s reusable water bottle program started in fall 2008 reduced bottled water usage, on average, by 26,500 bottles per month during the fall 2008 and spring 2009 semesters.
Elon’s print management system has decreased paper usage in computer labs and the library by 80 percent and paid for itself in less than 2 years.
POWERless, Elon’s residential energy competition, has increased awareness of energy conservation on campus and provided electricity reductions exceeding 100,000 kwh each year it has been held.
Published each year since 1989, NWF’s Campus Ecology sustainability case study database (formerly called the Campus Ecology Yearbook) is the only resource of its kind in the United States. The database can be searched by topic, year, state, and school, and can be found at www.CampusEcology.org.
Case studies include information on the campus’ project goals, successes and challenges, funding strategies and contact information for the project leader and the campus.
“The Campus Ecology online case study database is a great resource for learning about successful programs at institutions across the country,” said Elaine Durr, Elon’s sustainability coordinator. “I hope our experiences here at Elon will inspire other institutions as they work to create their own programs.”